Knockdown crate.



No. 810,369; PATENTED JAN. 16, 1906.

J. M. DIVAN. KNOGKDOWN CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1905.

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PATENTED JAN. 16, 1906.

J. M. DIYAN. KNOGKDOWN CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1905.

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ja l/01101"? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. DIVAN, OF FREEPORT, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM NELSON, OF MONTROSE, MISSOURI.

KNOCKDOWN CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1906.

Application filed June 2,1905. Serial No. 263,408.

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES M. DIVAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Freeport, in the county of Stephenson and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Crates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in knockdown crates and is fully described and explained in this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved crate. Fig. 2 is a section in the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fittings which connect the top and end section with the crate. Fig. 4 is aperspective view showing the partition-hinge. Fig. 5 is a transverse section in the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the crate knocked down. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the top section is locked down, one of the top sections being omitted in the drawings. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the sliding cover and its supports, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the crate partly knocked down.

Referring to the drawings, A is the bottom of my improved crate, and the same is provided with upwardly-projecting side boards a, the vertical height of which above the body is equal to the combined thickness of the ends and top sections of the crate. To the upper edges of the side boards a are hinged sides B, preferably composed of vertical members I) and horizontal slats b, and to the upper edges of these sides B are hinged top sections 0, comprising transverse members 0 and longitudinal slats c. It will be seen that the hinges between the sides and top sections are placed within the edges of the top sections, Fig. 9, so that when the sections are swung up they will make a perfect corner for the crate.

The ends of my improved crate are indicated in the drawings by D, the same comprising vertical end pieces (1, central pieces d, and horizontal slats (1 These ends are hinged to the bottom A of the crate and can be swung down therein, as seen in Fig. 9, when they will lie below the side boards a, at tached to the bottom.

E indicates a central partition which isreadily apparent.

tially equal portions. This partition comprises vertical end pieces 0, a vertical center piece 6, and horizontal slats 6 The ends of the partition are provided with.laterally-pro jecting pins e which run in cam-slots e in plates e secured to the side boards a of the bottom of the crate. This central partition E can be swung down to the left, as seen in Fig. 2, whereupon its lower end can be slid along the cam-slot to the end thereof, when the partition will lie flat upon the bottom of the crate, a strengthening-cleat a falling between two of the horizontal slats of the partition. I consider this horizontally-movable pivot for the central partition particularly .desirable, for the reason that it enables the partition to occupy the exact center of the crate, both when the crate is erected and when it is knocked down, and thus makes room on the bottom for the end pieces, while also serving to divide the crate into two equal compartments.

The general operation of the device will be Starting with the device, as in Fig. 1, if it is desired to knock down the crate the end pieces are first pushed in, as shown in Fig. 9, and the central partition folded down. Thereupon the two top sections of the crate can be swung down against the adjacent sides thereof, andv the sides can be folded down, as shown in Fig. 6. It will be seen that the ends and center partition and also the top sections of the crate he below the hinge-line of the sides thereof on the bottom.

Having described the general structure of my device and its mode of operation, broadly considered, I shall explain certain more specific features, which are especially desirable. In the first place, it is desirable that some means be provided for locking the members of the crate together when it is in its opened position. For this purpose I provide the free corners of the top sections with hooks O, of sheet metal,.Fig. 3, and I place on the up per edge of the ends of the crate sheet-metal fittings D, having hooks at their opposite ends arranged to engage with the adjacent hooks C. It will be seen that when the crate is erected these hooks can be interlocked, and the crate will be given a very substantial structure not liable to accidental derangement.

In order to lock the portions of the crate together when the crate is knocked down, I provide a sheet-metal yoke E on the central partition E and place upon the upper end of this yoke a rotatable button E adapted to engage the inner edges of the top sections of the crate to hold the same down.

In order to give access to the two ends of the crate, I cut away one of the slats in one of the top sections at each end of the crate, Figs. 1 and 9, and place under the slats a horizontally-slidable board C guided in small channeled guide-strips c on the transverse members of the top sections. This sliding door can be locked either in an open or closed position by means of a small spring C engaging with depressions therein.

I realize that considerable variation is pos sible in the details of this construction without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not, therefore, intend to limit myself to the specific form herein shown and described. v

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable bottom, foldable sides and top sections, of foldable end sections hinged to the ends of the bottom and arranged to swing down upon the same, and a central partition having a movable pivot connection with the bottom, whereby it can be erected at the center of the bottom, or folded down at the center of the same.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable bottom, foldable sides and top sections, of foldable end sections hinged to the ends of the bottom and arranged to swing down upon the same, a central partition, projecting pins at the lower corners thereof, plates having slots supported by the bottom with which the pins engage, said slots extending substantially from the center of the bottom toward one end thereof, a distance equal to substantially half the height of the partition, whereby the partition can be erected at the center of the bottom, with the pins at one end of the slot, or folded down on the center of the bottom with the pins at the other ends of the slots.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bottom, ends hinged at the ends thereof, sides hinged at the edges thereof and top sections hinged to the sides, of hooks at the free corners of the top sections, and corresponding hooks arranged in pairs at the centers of the tops of the ends, said hooks being constructed and arranged to engage mutually to hold the crate in its erect-- ed position.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bottom, sides hinged thereto, top sections hinged to the side sections, and ends hinged to the ends of the bot tom, of a partition pivoted to the bottom and arranged to swing down at the center thereof, an upward projection on said partition and a rotatable button on said projection arranged to engage with the adjacent edges of the top sections to lock the crate in a closed position.

In witness whereof I have signed the above application for Letters Patent, at Freeport, in the county of Ste henson and State of Illinois, this 25th day oIMay, A. D. 1905.

JAMES M. DIVAN.

Vitnesses:

W. N. ORONKRITE, O. B. COURTNEY. 

